Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

After returning earlier than expected from the Larapinta Trail, I decided to stop in the Flinders Ranges on my way home, for a few shorter day walks.

It was my first time in the Flinders Ranges, so I thought I should base myself at Wilpena resort campground for the first nights until I know my way around. To my surprise Wilpena was like a theme park in the forest, so over-developed and crowded it was not what I expected. To their credit I was impressed with how well organised everything was, the visitor centre and the walking tracks, and it was great to see Aboriginal people working at the visitor centre. But with restaurants, lodges, grocery shop, café, hot showers and even a petrol station it was not my idea of bush camping.

There are of course several other places to camp which would have been much more remote further in the park, but I first wanted to check out the walks at Wilpena before moving on.

The next day after breakfast I left early to climb Mt Ohlssen Bagge from where there are amazing views over Wilpena Pound (a large crater). After returning via a few other tracks, I spent the rest of the day relaxing in the sun eating cake from the café.

The following day I thought about moving to one of the other campgrounds, but because the previous nights had been so cold and I didn’t really bring the gear for such cold, I decided to move on towards Broken Hill and come back another time.

I enjoyed seeing a lot of wildlife, like lots of emus. Even on the campground there were plenty of birds and kangaroos. On the walking tracks I saw a lot of different lizards. Disappointingly I also came across plenty of feral goats on Mt Ohlssen Bagge.